Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1887-09-02

somethin', l reckon. Mighty glad we
didn't tell him yisterd'y what we was
alter in these parts. Now he'll not be
AKIN no unpleasant questions"
Don't go there" said the captive,
earnestly.
"W'y not2o
"Why, because-because that old man
is dangerous character. He is liable to
kill or hurt one of YOU
"Huh! mighty anxious bout us, haint
ye' Wal, we low we kin take care Nv
ourselves, eh, Boulson2"
That's whatw answered that worthy.
But don't go, say. You'll regret
1t II you do, y the prisoner went on.
Young man, best thing you kin do, &"
said hanks "is to tend strickly to yer
own knittin', and wen tend to ourn
Ef yer don't we'll haf ter gag yer"
The prisoner groaned.
A tramp Of mile or more brought
Hanks and Boulson to the little cabin
with its log wall chinked with mud
The deputy knocked several times be-
fore any reply came Presently man,
bent with age, opened the door.
Come in, gentlemen, come in" he
piped. Hanks stated their Grand
"Toe be sho," quavered the old man.
"Toe be sho' I'm pow'ful sorry keep
Iyouns a-waitin' so long. Ben a-settin'
lap every night fer a week, a-spectin' my
Asy, We see. I'd fell into cat nap"
Rle bustIcd about and soon had rude
- eg q r.aaer table, ,...,.
n Yer cheers, an fall to- Thar haint
erly much ter eat, but yer welcome ter
"a thar IS. Eff my boyd a-come,' he
zht on, 4 could ha' gin yer sumpin'
tter. Wen he comes he allus brings
money an sumpin' good ter eat or
lear Never fergits his ole dad, and
the old man chuckled at the recollection.
Must be good fellcr," mumbled
Hanks, with his mouth full of "pone.
''Yas, We better believe he is,
answered the old man, eagerly. "Smartest
an best boy 'twixt yerc an Californy.
Don't let me want fer nuthin', but jest
keeps me so we'll fixed that l dom
halter do nothin' but set in the sun an
and smoke. Oh, he's mighty kind tc
his ole dad"
The old man hustled to dilapidated
chest in the corner and fumbled IN it foI
a few moments Then he trotted back
again,
"Yere's his pictur, gentlemen, wa
be sent me MORN ayear ago"
"WhatH this from both the deput.
and Boulson at once.
The old man did not notice thei
startled looks but went on piping tn
praises of his son.
"Ya's, that's my boy, that's him,
Thar's the best boy an ole man ever had
Wy he
'Whar does he liver asked Hanks
"Out in Cowley County, Kansas, an
"What's his bus'ness2'
''W'y, he owns ranch thar"
"Lowed mebby he dealt in horses,
said Hanks, grimly.
"No, not hully, though he does rigf
j smart with horses. "
II knowed it,
! hat, doyou know him, gentlemen
= Fl ye do, yer 'quainted with the bes
= hearted feller in seven States; don't Ca
= whar yer find en-"
NO we don't know him."
!, Mighty sorry. Lowed mebby !
mought. Wal, ef yer see him hurry hi
: up. Tell him that my old hearts po1
~ erful anxious fer him ter come. Specie
: him fer several days"
"a The two edged towards the door.
or ''Ye don't reckon nuthin's happen,
he ter my boy, do ye2 Eff cnnythin' W
Id ter, blieve 'twould jest bust my pc
tn old heart, shore. He's so good an XII
n ter me that hit would jest kill me
part with him. Good-byem as th
Sc moved away.
he Then he piped after them:
d. EFF ye see him, don't fergit ter t
st him that I'm a-waitin' an a-watchin' !
ire him."
NO "We won't fergit," they called bac
at The deputy and Boulson strobe alo
~ in silence for half a mile. Then the f.
mer said slowly:
al It's him, shore
'You mighty rightr' replied the otl
zip solemnly,
IN. He's kind to the ole man, y remark
'on the deputy in a spiritless tone.
nd AN the pore ole chap hain't got
-he body but him" -" added Boulson.
ing Said his heart would break ef a
ent thing happened to his boy, said Han
hey Reckon it would too.
lea "Ole man would starve to death a
leir how" went on Hanks.
Reckon he would
They were silent for several minut
n Then Boulson said apologetically;